Former Lawyer Reimagines His Mountain Experiences through Poetic Reflection at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2026

Transforming real-life adventure into accessible philosophical storytelling, author Alan V. Goldman delivers his insightful work, “Reflections on Mountaineering: A Journey Through Life as Experienced in the Mountains (Fifth Edition, Revised and Expanded) with Addendum: 2024.” At the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2026, Inks and Bindings will showcase this poetry collection as part of its highlighted selection.

At the crossroad between memoir and poetry, Goldman’s collection presents a rare narrative approach to verse. In its 148 poems across 286 pages, the book depicts climbing as more than just a risk-adventure sport but also as a framework for examining human nature, decision-making, and personal growth. Every entry reveals a unique narrative, turning intricate concepts of existence and morality into captivating and relatable situations.

Goldman’s path to writing gathers a lifetime of discipline and exploration. He is a graduate of Horace Mann School, Harvard College, and Harvard Law School, as well as a member of The Phi Beta Kappa Society. At his professional career in a Wall Street law firm, he cultivated a structured and analytical perspective. In parallel, his decades-long involvement in mountaineering offered a different setting marked by risk, uncertainty, and unadulterated contact with the natural world. This duality shapes the book’s unique voice.

The collection points out how human consciousness is sharpened in the mountainous environment. Dangerous situations, including avalanche terrain, are depicted with urgency, while more subdued situations leave room for meditation and philosophical thought. The poems uncover the ways climbers face their fears, assess their decisions, and understand success and failure in situations where the outcome is unknowable or uncertain and frequently harsh.

An essential aspect of the work is its intelligibility. Rooted in poetic form, the narrative structure guarantees that every piece communicates a distinct message or insight. The poems are designed to connect with readers from diverse backgrounds, encouraging contemplation without the need for trained understanding of the techniques of poetry or mountaineering, while still steering clear of overly abstract forms of expression.

Experience the depth and insight of Alan V. Goldman’s masterwork firsthand at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2026 on April 18 to 19. Come explore a literary ascent that bridges adventure and reflection at Inks and Bindings, Booth 978, Black Zone, located within the University of Southern California. Ready to purchase today? Check out a copy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other leading book depositories worldwide.

About Inks & Bindings:

Launching brilliant stars into the spotlight! Inks & Bindings is set to broaden horizons, revamp to perfection, and produce a masterpiece through the power of books.

Inks and Bindings is a premier self-publishing company located at the heart of the Golden State. Aptly based where fashion, entertainment, and culture thrive, the team goes all out in bringing independent authors into the sweet California spotlight.

Contact Information

Jorelou Gabato

Director

Inks and Bindings LLC

Contact via E-mail